Robert Crick's Background

I come from a “Construction Family”. My grandfather was a contractor. His company played an integral role in the construction of many early projects in the Northwest, including such greats as the Grand Coulee Dam and Fairchild Air Force Base. My father and uncle took over the company when my granddad retired and continued that tradition, also constructing many notable projects throughout the Northwest. I began working in the family business when I was in the 7th grade. I spent summers and vacations working in the field from that point on through college graduation, when I went to work full time in the industry.

I know the skills and rigors of many project trades because I performed those jobs in my training process. My dad believed that if you are going to manage people you need to have firsthand experience in actually doing their jobs, so he trained me in most every civil trade. As a result I learned to operate, drive, and repair most any piece of heavy construction equipment.

I also learned to estimate how much work should be accomplished in a day under most any condition. I have estimated and bid on hundreds of projects ranging in size from a few thousand dollars to tens of millions. I was one of the first estimators in the area to convert a “green sheet” system to a computer system, allowing me to bid more projects and to see changes in real time.

I further understand the intricacies of managing most every aspect of construction projects from small to large, because I have personally done so. Profitably. I worked in many management positions for a period of over 20 years and managed many different types of projects, but most of all I enjoyed the high-risk, compressed time frame, highly visible projects where the financial rewards can be the greatest.

Furthermore, I understand the other side of the equation, having been the owner of several projects, both residential and commercial, where I have hired contractors to either build or remodel the project. Within budget and within the time frame specified means a lot to me because of that experience.

Through a unique set of circumstances I found it necessary to transition from being an “outside” project manager to an inside position. Thus, I studied law at Gonzaga, taking mostly night classes, while I kept up a full time work schedule. I then became a lawyer devoting my practice primarily to the construction industry.

Besides practicing law, I also do my best to make contributions back to the legal community. I am an Officer and Trustee for the Construction Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association. I also serve in a pro bono capacity as legal counsel to the Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors. As such, I have participated in several friend-of-the-court appeals on behalf of the construction industry.

Further, I share my substantial construction and legal knowledge and experience outside of the profession. I am an Adjunct Professor at WSU where I teach business law to Master’s Degree candidates in the Engineering Management program. In addition, I teach construction law seminars for the WSBA and for various private seminar providers.

Also, I enjoy participating in athletic activities such as snow skiing in the winter and bicycling in the summer. My particular love is ski racing. Because of that I serve on the Boards of Directors for Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park, Spokane Ski Racing Association, and the Pacific Northwest Ski Association.